Fort Irwin  Base Essentials

To help prepare sponsors for success, the Sponsorship Program provides training and access to important information and resources that can help newcomers master their move. The Sponsorship Program helps sponsors fulfill their responsibilities, which may include:

• Contacting the service member and family with an introductory email
• Staying in contact with the service member throughout the moving process
• Sending information about the new community and duty assignment, responding to questions and providing information about resources
• Confirming transportation and lodging arrangements
• Helping with post office arrangements
• Meeting service members and family members upon arrival
• Going with service members to unit check-in point
• Introducing service members to the Military and Family Support Center and loan closet, if it’s available
• Familiarizing service members and families with the installation and key locations, like the commissary

Note: Responsibilities may vary based on service-specific policies and guidance. Make sure to check with your service branch for sponsor training requirements.

Overall, the Sponsorship Program aims to:

• Provide newcomers with a sense of belonging
• Ease the transition for inbound service members or civilians and their family members
• Increase productivity of service members and loved ones
• Help newcomers make informed decisions
• Cultivate new friendships
• Improve morale

For more information on the Sponsorship Program, contact your installation Military and Family Support Center.

Sponsorship is also available for youth. Installation youth sponsorship programs help military-connected youth make a successful transition to a new community. Primarily directed to preteen and teenaged youth, installation youth programs/centers provide information and materials on programs and services available at their new location. Where available, youth can exchange emails, talk on the phone or chat online with other youth. The youth program staff at your new installation can offer more information on installation youth sponsorship programs.

You can also contact your installation School Liaison Program office for information about school-based youth sponsorship programs such as Anchored4Life and Student2Student. These peer-to-peer programs help your student adjust to and navigate their new school.

If your child would like to become a youth sponsor, contact your installation School Liaison Program or youth program/center.

Families with children may also want to visit Military Kids Connect, an online community for military children and youth. The site offers games, videos and links to teen-led installation tours.

You will receive an initial welcome letter from your unit. In order to better assist you with your relocation to Fort Irwin contact the G1 Strength Management Office they will provide you with information on the brigade that you are assigned to. For more information contact G1 at 760-380-3225/5237 or DSN 312-470-3225/5237.

To assist in facilitating smooth transitions for youth as they relocate to new military installations please contact the School Liaison Officer for more information at 760-380-6880 or DSN 312-470-6880.

To forward your mail temporarily you can use the following address:

• Your Name
• Post Locator and P.O. Box 105010
• Your Expected Arrival Date
• Fort Irwin, CA 92310-5010

When you arrive you can pick-up your mail at the Post Locator in Building 306. If you forward your mail please make sure that you go to the post office as soon as you arrive. If your expected arrival date changes after your mail has been forwarded please call 760-380-3369 to let them know that you are still coming to Fort Irwin. This will prevent your mail from being returned to the sender. If you prefer to rent a Post Office Box in advance call the Post Office at 760-386-2259.